Saturday Soapbox

Rep. Biggert, Ms. Independent:

While Rep. Mark Kirk of Highland Park has the reputation for bipartisanship, the latest tally by washingtonpost.com's Votes Database shows Rep. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale as the state delegation's new independence czar. She's followed the GOP line on only 85.9 percent of the votes. To put that into perspective, only 20 Republican members of the entire Congress have split with the party more.

And among the Democrats:

Rep. Melissa Bean of Barrington has the strongest bipartisanship score among state Democrats, voting with her party 90.3 percent of the time. Only 19 Democrats in Congress have a lower percentage.

Ah, what a relief it is:

Finally, Seegers Road between Arlington Heights and Goebbert roads has been repaved. The small stretch of road in Arlington Heights is nothing short of smooth asphalt perfection. It almost makes us want to take up skateboarding - almost.

Which way is up, Part 1:

Is it just us, or are more and more people directionally challenged? The last five places (stores and restaurants) we called for specific directions, the person answering had to put us on hold (hand over the receiver) to ask an associate where the place of business was located. How do these people get to work?

Which way is up, Part 2:

We called a large department store to ask if it was north or south of the Northwest Tollway on Route 59. "Go north of the tollway as if you were going to Streamwood and Bartlett," the clerk said. When we told her Streamwood and Bartlett are south of the tollway, she said, "OK, we're still north then."

Wheels of confusion:

What was Arlington Heights thinking when the town agreed to host the SuperPro Week Tour criterium on a Tuesday? Organizers say they save a few dollars by hosting it on a weekday since they're staffed up. It can't be more than the gas the rest of us waste driving around the detours while we try to get to and from work. Maybe if the event was hosted on a weekend, the bike race could be something to enjoy instead of annoy.

Still seeing red:

We have addressed both sides of the red-light camera issue. Revenue generating v. safety and all of that. Well, no matter where you fall on the issue, we all should agree on one thing: Too many motorists continue to hit the gas pedal and not the brake pedal when the light turns yellow ... and even red. Please stop, literally.

Nothing adds up except the dollars:

Why in the world would Avon Township Assessor Rick Dishman think the taxpayers should pay for a $3,000 convention trip to Miami this fall when he's leaving office at the end of the year?

Speaking of things that don't add up:

Something's wrong with our bankruptcy laws when the Cubs could consider filing for bankruptcy after drawing 3.3 million people and receiving a record $900 million offer for the team.

Dress the part, will ya?

How come so many major league baseball players place their sunglasses atop the bill of their caps? What's the point? And while we're at it, whatever happened to flip-ups?

A list of Burris' accomplishments:

1.